UPDATE: Bristol Water Intakes Closed Due To Chemical Spill, City Treatment Plant Impacted
A hazardous material from chemical company Trinseo Altuglas in Bristol Township spilled into the Otter Creek and Delaware River. Local, county, and federal authorities were working to contain and monitor the spill as of Saturday evening.
The Trinseo Altuglas facility is located on the Dow Chemical property on Veterans Highway (Route 413) in Bristol Township.
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The U.S. Coast Guard has command on the cleanup operation and has told LevittownNow.com at least 8,100 gallons of latex finishing material spilled into the waterway. They said the water soluble acrylic polymer solution had a maximum potential release of 12,000 gallons, with a final determination being worked on.
Several local officials said there were no reported restrictions on drinking water as of 7:15 p.m.
Bucks County spokesperson James O’Malley said the chemical was not reported to be toxic to humans, but there were potential impacts to fish.
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“The Coast Guard has not received any calls of injured or affected wildlife,” a statement from federal authorities said.
Federal officials are advising residents to stay away from the area while the cleanup operations are ongoing.
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Officials said a contractor has been brought in to assist with containment and clean up.
Bristol Township Emergency Management Coordinator Kevin Dippolito said the township is monitoring the situation and the U.S. Coast Guard is the lead agency due to the material spilling into the waterway.
“We are working with the responsible party and local and federal agencies to ensure a safe response effort,” said Capt. Jonathan Theel, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. “We are also working with our state counterparts in Pennsylvania.”
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Croydon Fire Company Chief Tom Tryon said he was alerted around 11:20 p.m. Friday of an issue at the facility. He made notifications of the spill.
The Bucks County Hazardous Materials Response Team responded overnight and has remained on the scene into Saturday evening.
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O’Malley said the county team located that the chemical spilled in the Otter Creek and Delaware River. Silver Lake was checked and the chemical did not appear to have entered the body of water.
O’Malley said crews are expected to be on the scene through the night.
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In addition to the U.S. Coast Guard and county hazmat team, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were on the scene.
Federal and state officials were investigating the cause of the spill as of Saturday evening.
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